Girls’ summer camp confirms 27 campers, counselors died in Texas floods

ISTANBUL

Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in US state of Texas, confirmed Monday that 27 campers and counselors perished in flash floods that devastated the facility last week.

"Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river," the camp said in statement published on its website.

The facility, which serves girls during summer months, said it continues working with authorities involved in the search for the missing girls.

"We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level," the statement said.

The death toll from flash floods in the US state of Texas has risen to 82, including 28 children, according to a CNN report late Sunday.

Kerr County recorded the highest number with 68 fatalities, while Travis, Burnet, Kendall, Williamson, and Tom Green counties reported additional deaths.

US President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and announced plans to visit Texas later this week to assess damage.

The flooding began late Thursday and lasted into the early hours of Friday, as heavy rains engulfed the Guadalupe River, pushing it to a crest of more than 39 feet (11.8 meters), surpassing the region's second-largest modern flood in 1987.